Conditions:A winter blast hit the Erie area Tuesday leaving up to a foot of wet snow with more expected this week. Area tribs are nearly frozen over completely except for the very fast moving water. A few die hards have been seen out breaking up the ice on the large pools on Walnut and Elk Creek. Ice anglers seeking steelhead have been doing fairly well at the Walnut Creek Access marina, on the ice in the Walnut channel and just off shore at Trout Run.

Presque Isle Bay was crowded with ice huts this past weekend. Ice thickness has been reported anywhere from 4 inches up to 10 inches depending on what part of the bay you are on. Catch reports at Presque Isle have been sporadic with mostly blue gills filling the buckets along with smaller perch and the occasional steelhead.

Steelhead Moved:As part of the Fairview State Fish Hatchery Program, a good number of spawned out steel head have been returned to the water. This year a signifcant number of steelhead were released into Conneaut Creek in Albion near the Fairgrounds. (look for the big blue building)

The Big Show, Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo is This Weekend:The 24th annual Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo will be held February 29th through March 2nd at the beautiful new Erie Bayfront Convention Center along the Erie bay front just west of Dobbins landing. Parking is free. Hours are Noon to 9:00 PM on Friday, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday. With 23 years under its belt, this expo has developed into the definitive cabin fever event for area hunters and anglers. The expo is a fabulous mix of the latest in hunting and fishing information and gear blended with exhibits by local clubs, bait shops and sport and travel stores and outfitters from around the globe. Great buys, informative demonstrations, and noted guest speaker clinics round out the expo. Area PFBC officers and representatives from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as always, will be on hand through out the weekend to answer questions and listen to your comments. See you there..... For more information go to Erie Outdoor Sport and Travel Expo

Cabin Fever?, Basic Boating Class, Sign Up Early:Area officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, will be conducting a safe boating class on Tuesday and Thursday, March 25th and 27th from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM each evening. The class will be held at the Girard United Methodist Church at 48 Main Street Girard PA 16417 with plenty of room for anyone interested. This comprehensive 8 hour class is designed for the novice boater or boater to be, as well as the experienced boater who would like to refresh his knowledge and is especially recommended for the new boater and their families. The class covers basic boating safety, boating laws and regulations, and equipment. Successful completion of the course qualifies the individual for a Pennsylvania boating education safety certificate (card). There is no charge for the course or materials, although registration is required. This class typically fills up and early sign up is recommended. To register for this class, email DWCO Randy Leighton at rglerie@msn.com with your name, address, phone, age, and number of people you would like to register or you can phone WCO Brook Tolbert at (814) 774-4672Upon successful completion of the course , the Agency will require a processing fee for your Basic Boating Safety Certificate (card) if desired.

Who Needs a Boating Safety Certificate:Boating Safety Certificates (Actually a plastic card) are required for anyone operating a personal watercraft (jet ski) and anyone born on or after January 1st 1982 operating a boat powered by motors greater than 25 Horsepower.

Walnut Creek Fishing Hours Change, Effective Immediately:From September 2nd until the opening day of trout season in April, all Lake Erie tributary streams are closed to fishing from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on the following day except for Walnut Creek, north of the Manchester Bridge and Elk Creek north of Route 5. The Important change here is that Walnut Creek specifically and effective immediately, is now closed to fishing south of the Manchester Bridge between the hours of 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day through the opening day of Trout Season. Anglers should be aware that this now an enforceable regulation